Got called a newbie rider, for wearing gear!

[A2rider]

Originally Posted by fretbuzz

No, no. Not make the salsa in the helmets, grow the peppers and oregano in the helmets.

You're weird.

I would serve the salsa in the helmet, and tell them it's what their brains will look like if they keep wearing 1/2 helmets!

Have you seen Sweeney Todd?!!!

[Jadefoxx215]

my outlook is this, "you live by the gear or die without it"

Riding is a statement, it says something about your character, intelligence and outlook on life, those who understand the risk in riding and choose to take precautionary measures to ensure their safety as best they can, that is bold. Those who chose the opposite are the medical miracles if they survive.

Eff em'! Listen I don't have the time nor energy to deal with someones ignorance or their ideals of what "coolness" are...coolness to me is having as much skin as possible and riding as safely and stylishly as possible, newbie or not.

[Parkinglot Pro]

Ordered a Tourmaster mesh jacket as soon as I purchased my bike...gotta wear it...

[gameovergt]

I wear my yellow Icon jacket on my Kawi green bike.

[RichLockyer]

Originally Posted by gameovergt

I wear my yellow Icon jacket on my Kawi green bike.

SOMEBODY CALL THE FASHION POLICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[jed2009]

i'm confused... i can't decide on which mesh jacket to buy because they all look so damn cool! i don't think gear is 'lame' at all haha. i do admit i don't gear up when i'm cruising around town, but i wont even think about hitting the highway without gear. (even tho my whole arsenal consists of only one single helmet... but over time a whole set!)

when i get the cash i'll have a mesh jacket, a nice set of gloves and maybe some pants by the time this is all over. i should be able to order my jacket this week cuz i get paid!! i can't decide which one to get, anyone have tips on how to decide what you want for your first? built in body armor is a must. and it must be cheap cuz im just a 17 year old teenager!

to the OP : tell that ****head to f**k off and forget about him.

[A2rider]

First Gear is usually inexpensive, and holds up well.

[jed2009]

thanks for the reccomendation mate. and seeing as this thread got pretty derailed, may i ask the difference between textile and mesh? does one offer less protection? thanks!

[RichLockyer]

Mesh is textile.

Textile simply refers to non-leather material.
Most mesh gear is only mesh in areas that need minimal protection. They will still be solid over the shoulders, upper back, and usually lower back or the entire back. They'll tend to be mesh only on the inner arms and front and sides of the torso.

Ultimate protection? Leather with hard armor caps on the elbows and shoulders.
Least protection? Mesh with no armor.

Most textile gear does have armored caps, though they are removable on many jackets.
The difference between leather and textile is that in a slide, even kevlar shreds in around 20-30 feet. By comparison, leather is good for as much as 80 feet (and I'm talking about quality leather, not the thin "fashion leather" from the local shop at the mall or a LOT of the crap sold online).

The problem with pure leather is while it will protect your skin in a slide, without armor, there is nothing to protect your "pointy parts" from impact injury with the road. Racing gear will be armored leather... One of our guys from San Jose was at the track last year and high wind took him off the road. He walked away from a 100mph drop.

[gameovergt]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

SOMEBODY CALL THE FASHION POLICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

haha. My helmet is titanium with blue/orange/yellow flames

[RichLockyer]

I think I'm going to be ill...

[jed2009]

thanks alot for that reply, rich. that cleared some stuff up. i will definitely buy a textile jacket with armor seeing as money is kind of a problem with me at the moment. i think i have it narrowed down to about 3-4 jackets so tonight im gonna compare and contrast and everything.

[RichLockyer]

Before I decided to wear either leather or nothing, I really liked my Tour Master "Intake" jacket.
IIRC it was about $130, and it has a zip-out liner for when you don't want mesh.

[wild_deuce03]

Absolutely love my Arlen Ness jacket. I swear that thing weighs 20 pounds! But I admit that I haven't been wearing it in this weather.

[The Vol-can]

Originally Posted by ZeroPunch

As a motorcyclist I have the right to come home to my loved ones in the same condition I departed I also have the obligation to do so, I can't predict what may happen but I will be as best prepared for it as I practically can.

DITTO. The "style" of the cruisers around here has me thinking I must be one weird dude for wearing gear. Almost enough to convince me that I should be riding a sport tourer . Just can't fathom not having the gear given A) I owe it to my family to be safe as possible, and B) I've got firsthand experience with the protection the gear affords. Believe me, the insurance company was more than happy to replace my gear after I was forced to avoid an idiot parking his truck across my lane as I was going 60+ down the highway. 125' later, I had one scratch to show for my slide down the asphalt.

[Grizz_Dipper]

Hey I'm a new rider but you'll never see me without proper gear even if it is just my Helmet, Gloves, and Carhart jacket (til i save up enough to get a good jacket).

[Inquisitive]

Originally Posted by mdqueenz

I rode my bike (900 Custom) to work for the first time ever today. Got lots of compliments on it from lots of people.

At the end of the day, as i am getting ready to leave, i start to put on my gear (FF helmet, armored mesh jacket, and gloves).

Then some **** really ticked me off. Called me a noob rider for wearing a jacket. Stated that "If you crash it's not going to do anything for you, it's just going to shred. You must be a noob rider".

Now mind you, i am a new rider, but whether i have 2 months experience or 20 years, i will never ride a motorcycle without the proper gear.

I shouldn't make too much of it, but it just upset me to hear that. There is so much peer pressure out there to look like the classic biker. Just sad that so many people rather look cool than ride as safe as possible.

MD

mdqueenz, obviously you are well supported in wearing your appropriate gear, and that the naive individual would appear to be just that. Another possibility is that the guy never graduated out of elementary school and he was effectively insulting you in an effort to gain your favor - stupid I know, however not all men are created equal. We are all different at least to some degree. I will be so bold as to state we all may share at least a portion of the stupid gene Keep wearing your gear! You are very smart for doing so.

[Big Ed]

Originally Posted by RichLockyer

Before I decided to wear either leather or nothing, I really liked my Tour Master "Intake" jacket.
IIRC it was about $130, and it has a zip-out liner for when you don't want mesh.

+1

I have that jacket as well. It actually comes with 2 liners now, one is a wind break and the other is a quilted. It gives a great temperature range.

[Frenchy]

Originally Posted by Big Ed

+1

I have that jacket as well. It actually comes with 2 liners now, one is a wind break and the other is a quilted. It gives a great temperature range.

Very nice. Hmmm, I may need to get one of those. I've been going no gear (jacket) because it was so hot here. How is it for rain protection? Does anyone know where you can get the jacket and the pants (maybe as a "kit")? C.C. mentions the matching pants, but I didn't see it on the site. I'd like to kill two birds with one stone, and get the raingear out of the bags to free up some space...

[fretbuzz]

"Mesh is textile."

True, Rich. But not all textile is mesh.

There are textile jackets that are of a solid material and can be very hot. If he is looking to remain cool (as in not hot not as in looks neat -o.k. that too) he wants to make sure and get mesh.

Oh, yeah, Tina. I did see Sweeney Todd -it was cool.